For Trips Around Tokyo: Top 7 Discount Travel Passes

Discount Travel Passes for Eastern Japan

Many visitors to Japan use the Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel on the JR lines, including bullet train and limited express lines.

However, the JR Pass can only be used on the JR lines, which exclude Tokyo Metro and other railways that serve central Tokyo and the area around the capital. This means you are missing out on many stunning places in Japan that could be easily reached using other railways.

Read on to learn about 7 discount travel passes that can be used for trips around Tokyo. In addition to being available for purchase in Japan, most of them can also be used by foreign residents.

7 Travel Passes for Trips around Tokyo

1. JR TOKYO Wide Pass: Travel 3 Days for Only 10,180 Yen
2. JR EAST Pass: 5 Days in Nagano, Niigata, and Northern Japan
3. NIKKO PASS: 4-Day Nikko Trip for Less than 5,000 Yen
4. Hakone Freepass: 2 Days for Less than 6,000 Yen in Hakone
5. Seibu 1Day Pass: Travel to Kawagoe and Chichibu for 1,000 Yen/Day
6. Keikyu Hayama Excursion Ticket: For Trips to the Oceanside South of Tokyo
7. Tokyo Subway Ticket: Less than 1,000 Yen for the Day

1. JR TOKYO Wide Pass: Travel 3 Days for Only 10,000 Yen

The JR TOKYO Wide Pass issued by JR EAST is a discount 3-day ticket priced at 10,180 yen. This ticket can be used only by non-Japanese individuals (travelers or residents) provided they possess a foreign passport.

The JR TOKYO Wide Pass can be used on all the JR EAST lines, including Shinkansen and limited express trains, in Tokyo, Saitama, Tochigi, Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Nagano, and Yamanashi.

Holders of this pass can reserve their seats for bullet trains or limited express trains for no additional fee at any Midori no Madoguchi JR ticket office or online.

Yokohama

Use this ticket to travel for three days around Tokyo to places like Nikko, famous for its World Heritage sites, Tochigi, the GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort in Niigata, or the Yatsugatake Mountains. The pass can also be used for trips to Minakami Onsen in Gunma, Kofu in Yamanashi, famous for its wineries, Mt. Fuji, Yokohama, Kamakura, and other beautiful places!

JR TOKYO Wide Pass

Valid: 3 consecutive days
Area: JR lines in Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures (Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Yamanashi, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Chiba).
Price: 10,180 yen
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport.
Where to buy: The JR TOKYO Wide Pass can be purchased at any JR EAST Travel Service Center in the Tokyo area (Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station, and others)

Book the JR TOKYO Wide Pass

↑ Return to the top of article.

JR EAST PASS: 5 Days in Nagano, Niigata, and Northern Japan

The JR EAST PASS is an excellent choice if you wish to explore northern Japan.

The JR EAST PASS is available in two variants: JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area), which can be used to travel to Sendai, Aomori, Yamagata, and Akita, and JR EAST PASS (Nagano and Niigata Area), which can be used to travel around Nagano and Niigata.

The best thing about the JR EAST PASS is that it can also be used on JR buses within the designated area. This means you have greater mobility and can reach remote areas that are not served by railways.

For recommended itineraries using the JR EAST PASS, check our special page on travel in Yamagata and Niigata.

JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)

Validity: 5 consecutive days
Area: JR lines in Tokyo, Miyagi, Fukushima, Akita, Yamagata, Aomori.
Price: Adults 20,000 yen, Children 10,000 yen (*the price will be lower if purchased from overseas)
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport including residents in Japan
Where to buy: any JR EAST Travel Service Center in the Tokyo area (Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station, and others)
Official website: JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)

Book the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)

JR EAST PASS (Nagano and Niigata Area)

Validity: 5 consecutive days
Area: JR lines in Tokyo, Nagano, and Niigata.
Price: Adults 18,000 yen, Children 9,000 yen (*the price will be lower if purchased from overseas)
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport including foreign residents
Where to buy: The JR EAST PASS can be purchased at any JR EAST Travel Service Center in the Tokyo area (Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station, and others)
Official website: JR EAST PASS (Nagano and Niigata Area)

Book the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)

↑ Return to the top of article.

3. NIKKO PASS: 4-Day Nikko Trip for Less than 5,000 Yen

Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls in Nikko. Photo by Pixta

Nikko, famous for World Heritage sites such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, is one of the most popular travel destinations near Tokyo.

The NIKKO PASS issued by Tobu Railway is the most convenient ticket to travel to and around Nikko. This ticket is available in two versions:

1) The NIKKO PASS All Area, priced at 4,780 yen, is a 4-day ticket that includes a round trip from Tokyo to Nikko, unlimited train and bus rides in the Nikko - Yumoto Onsen - Chuzenji Onsen - Kinugawa Onsen, as well as the fare for a ferry cruise on Lake Chuzenji and for a roundtrip ride on the Akechidaira Ropeway.

2) The NIKKO PASS World Heritage Area, priced at 2,120 yen, is a 2-day ticket that includes a round trip from Tokyo to Nikko and unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area of Nikko City.

Please note that, if you plan to travel to Nikko riding a limited express train, you'll need to buy a separate seat reservation ticket, which is not covered by the NIKKO PASS. However, if you use regular trains and express trains, no additional fee will ensue. Please check the official website of Tobu Railway for details.

NIKKO PASS All Area

Validity: 4 consecutive days
Area: Tokyo - Nikko roundtrip, trains, buses, and ropeway in Nikko, Chuzenji Onsen, Yumoto Onsen, and Kinugawa Onsen; ferry cruise on Lake Chuzenji.
Price:
April 20 to November 30: Adults 4,780 yen, Children 1,330 yen
December 1 to April 19: Adults 4,160 yen, Children 1,080 yen
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport.
Where to buy: TOBU Tourist Information Center ASAKUSA, TOBU Tourist Information Center IKEBUKURO, or online

Book the NIKKO PASS

NIKKO PASS world heritage area

Validity: 2 days
Area: Tokyo - Nikko roundtrip, trains and buses in Nikko City.
Price: Adults 2,040 yen, Children 610 yen
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport.
Where to buy: TOBU Tourist Information Center ASAKUSA, TOBU Tourist Information Center IKEBUKURO, or online

Book the NIKKO PASS

↑ Return to the top of article.

4. Hakone Freepass: 2 Days for Less than 6,100 Yen in Hakone

Photo by Pixta

Hakone Freepass is the most convenient ticket to use for traveling to and around Hakone, which is served only by Odakyu Railway.

Hakone Freepass is valid for two days and is priced at 6,100 yen for adults and 1,100 for children. It can be used on all the trains from Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) to Hakone and back, including the limited express Romancecar (*1), as well as on the Hakone Tozan train, bus, and ropeway lines within Hakone.

*1 From Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, a one-way limited express ticket is 1,200 yen.

Odakyu Railways has recently issued the Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass, which offers cost-efficient transportation in Hakone and Kamakura, and the Fuji-Hakone Pass A-Ticket for 3 Days, a great choice for a side trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone.

Hakone Freepass

Validity: 2 days
Area: all the Odakyu trains, buses and ropeway lines from Shinjuku Station to Hakone.
Price: Adults 6,100 yen, Children 1,100 yen
Requirements: none
Where to buy: Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centers (Shinjuku Station, Odawara Station, a.o.), Odakyu ticket vending machines, or online
Official website: Hakone Freepass

Book the Hakone Freepass

↑ Return to the top of article.

5. Seibu 1Day Pass: Travel to Kawagoe and Chichibu for 1,000 Yen/Day

Photo by Pixta

If you plan to visit Kawagoe or the scenic Chichibu area in Saitama, consider using the Seibu 1Day Pass, a discount ticket issued by Seibu Railway. For only 1,000 yen, you get to travel from Tokyo to your destination of choice in Saitama!

The ticket is also available in a two-day version as the Seibu 2Day Pass for 2,000 yen, which is a real bargain if you think that this is all that you spend on transportation while enjoying a hot spring stay in Chichibu, for instance.

The Seibu 1Day Pass + Nagatoro (1,500 yen) and the Seibu 2Day Pass + Nagatoro (3,000 yen) include the Nagatoro area in Saitama, which is served by the Chichibu Line. Nagatoro is famous as a destination for traditional whitewater rafting, as well as for its shrines and temples.

No matter which version of this ticket you use, you'll surely have a great time in Kawagoe, Chichibu, and Nagatoro while saving on transportation.

Seibu 1Day Pass

Validity: 1 day
Area: all the Seibu line trains in Tokyo and Saitama
Price: 1,000 yen
Requirements: can be used only on the day it was purchased
Where to buy: SEIBU Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro, Seibu Shinjuku Station ticket counter
Official website: Seibu 1Day Pass

Book the Seibu 1Day Pass

↑ Return to the top of article.

6. Keikyu Hayama Excursion Ticket: For Beach Trips to Hayama, Zushi, and Miura Peninsula

Hayama Marina. Photo by Pixta

Keikyu Railways serves the southern part of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture offering access to the oceanside and the Miura Peninsula, including the famous beach areas of Hayama and Zushi, and the port city of Yokosuka.

Keikyu Railways has issued a series of one-day travel passes that are ideal for exploring the oceanside south of Tokyo: the Hayama Excursion Ticket (3,580 yen) for day trips to Hayama and Zushi, the Miura Peninsula Enjoyable Ticket (2 days, 4,760 yen), and the Misaki Maguro Tuna Day Trip Ticket (3,760 yen).

The unique feature of these passes is that they include tickets for meals and souvenirs that can be used at local restaurants and shops! Check the details for each discount pass on the Keikyu Railways official website.

Hayama Excursion Ticket

Validity: 1 day
Area: Keikyu Line ride from Shinagawa, Yokohama, or Haneda Airport to Hayama and Zushi, Keikyu buses
Price: 3,580 yen (*when the departure is from Shinagawa Station)
Requirements: can be used only on the day it was purchased
Where to buy: Keikyu Tourist Information centers, Keikyu Line ticket offices, or online
Official website: Hayama Excursion Ticket

Book the Hayama Excursion Ticket

Miura Peninsula Enjoyable Ticket

Validity: 2 days
Area: Keikyu Line ride from Shinagawa, Yokohama, or Haneda Airport to Misaki and the Miura Peninsula, Keikyu Line buses
Price: 4,760 yen (*when the departure is from Shinagawa Station)
Requirements: can be used only on the day it was purchased
Where to buy: Keikyu Tourist Information centers, Keikyu Line ticket offices, or online
Official website: Miura Peninsula Enjoyable Ticket

Book the Miura Peninsula Enjoyable Ticket

↑ Return to the top of article.

7. Tokyo Subway Ticket: Less than 1,000 Yen/Day

Photo by Pixta
The Tokyo Subway Ticket is your convenient pass for the underground railways in Tokyo, namely Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. These two networks are two separate entities, which means that it's more convenient moneywise to move around using just one of the networks than using both.

However, the Tokyo Subway Ticket is the only ticket that can be used on both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway at a discount price. The ticket exists in three variants:
- Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket (Adult: 800 yen, Child: 400 yen)
- Tokyo Subway 48-hour Ticket (Adult: 1,200 yen, Child: 600 yen)
- Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket (Adult: 1,500 yen, Child: 750 yen)

If you plan to arrive in Tokyo at Narita Aiport, consider using the Skyliner + Tokyo Subway Ticket, which includes a ride on the fastest limited express train from Narita Airport to central Tokyo.

As an additional tip, central Tokyo is better served by underground lines than surface train lines for the simple reason that this area is full of historical buildings, wide parks of historical importance, and waterways. The Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo SKYTREE, and other must-see destinations in Tokyo are more easily accessible by subway.

Tokyo Subway Ticket

Validity: 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days
Area: all the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines
Price: 800 yen (valid for 24 hours), 1,200 yen (valid for 48 hours), 1,500 yen (valid for 72 hours)
Requirements: can be purchased only by holders of a foreign passport.
Where to buy: Tokyo Metro stations, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, overseas travel agencies
Official website: Tokyo Subway Ticket

Book the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)

Book the Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket Combo

↑ Return to the top of article.

Use Discount Passes to Explore Eastern Japan

Many places that are worth visiting in Japan cannot be reached using only the Japan Rail Pass.

We suggest using it in combination with discount tickets issued by other railway companies. This way, you'll discover new sides of Japan and create precious memories.

Main image by Pixta